REDWOOD CITY, CALIF. - City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz announced today the next steps in the recruitment of a new police chief. Redwood City's Police Chief J.R. Gamez recently announced his retirement scheduled for December 2017 due to an existing medical condition. The recruitment will begin mid-October with the selection of a recruitment firm and a series of community outreach opportunities in October and November. The police chief reports to the city manager.

"The Redwood City Police Department has a strong reputation for outstanding community engagement, and the police chief position is a critical leadership role for our community," said Melissa Stevenson Diaz, city manager of the City of Redwood City. "Through community meetings, an online survey, and feedback at community events, we would like to hear from community members about the qualities they believe are needed in the next police chief."

Community members can provide feedback in multiple ways beginning in October. Three community meetings will be held: Thursday, October 26 at Veterans Memorial Senior Center (simultaneous English to Spanish interpretation); Tuesday, November 7 at Fair Oaks Community Center (meeting facilitated in Spanish); and Wednesday, November 8 at Redwood Shores Library. All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Community members can also provide feedback at booths set up at Red Morton Park, near the Zoppé Italian Family Circus, on October 28 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and at the Dia de los Muertos celebration on November 5 at Courthouse Square at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additionally, later this month residents can take part in an online survey.

Community input will help to identify the attributes and experience needed in the next police chief and will inform the recruitment and selection process. It is anticipated that the city manager will select the new police chief in early spring 2018. To learn more about the police chief recruitment, go here.

###

About the City of Redwood City

The City of Redwood City is a San Francisco Bay Area community located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the technology-rich region extending from the San Francisco Peninsula to the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Redwood City is the third largest city within the County of San Mateo, with 85,992 residents. The city enjoys an average of 255 sunny days a year, which it boasts via the city slogan: "Climate Best by Government Test". Incorporated in 1867, Redwood City is home to the San Mateo County History Museum (located in the county's old courthouse) and the only active deep water port within the south bay of San Francisco. The city's vibrant downtown, quickly becoming known as the entertainment hub of the San Francisco Peninsula, offers residents, visitors, and businesses a unique retail, entertainment, and restaurant experience.For more information, visit the City of Redwood City's website at www.redwoodcity.org, or follow Redwood City on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.